Wednesday's NHL previews

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Wednesday's NHL previews

Red Wings—The injury-plagued Red Wings (30-13-6) could have a couple veteran forwards back in the lineup when they visit Scotiabank Place for their first game since the all-star break. Both Pavel Datsyuk (broken hand) and Dan Cleary (broken ankle) are hoping they'll be healthy enough to return. Forward Tomas Holmstrom (broken hand) and defenceman Brad Stuart (broken jaw) remain sidelined.

Senators—The Senators (17-25-8 going into Tuesday's game against New Jersey)will be looking to turn things around at Scotiabank Place. Prior to the all-star break, the sputtering Sens lost seven straight games at home. The good news for the Senators is that star forward Jason Spezza hopes to be back in the lineup by the weekend. He's been out since Boxing Day with a separated shoulder.

Panthers at Canadiens, 7:30 p.m. ET

Panthers—The Panthers (22-22-5 going into Tuesday's game against Toronto) haven't made the playoffs since 2000 and they are once again out of the post-season picture. If they want to avoid unpacking their golf clubs in mid-April, they'll need to step it up over the final couple months of the season to move into the top eight in the East.

Canadiens—The Canadiens (27-18-5 going into Tuesday's game against Washington) return to the Bell Centre hoping to take the season series against the Panthers. The teams split their first two games of the season, the Habs winning the last showdown on New Year's Eve. Montreal's James Wisniewski had three points in that game.

Canucks at Coyotes, 9:30 p.m. ET

Canucks—Centre Alexandre Bolduc is expected to be out a few more weeks with a dislocated shoulder so the Canucks (31-10-9 going into Tuesday's game against Dallas) have called up prospect Cody Hodgson from the AHL. The 10th overall pick in the 2008 draft, Hodgson has 10 goals and six assists in 28 games for the Manitoba Moose this season. He returned to the lineup in mid-January after missing 18 games with an orbitol bone fracture.

Coyotes—Phoenix (25-17-9 going into Tuesday's game against San Jose) returns to Jobing.com Arena looking to end its struggles at home. The Coyotes have hosted four straight losses in Glendale, Ariz. Seventeen of their final 30 games are on home ice.

Kings at Oilers, 9:30 p.m. ET

Kings—The Kings (27-22-1 going into Tuesday's game against Minnesota) returned from the all-star break facing a 10-game road trip. They don't return to the Staples Centre in L.A. until Feb. 24. Head coach Andy Murray will start Jonathan Quick in goal against the Oilers after going with Jonathan Bernier on Tuesday night in Minnesota.

Oilers—The Oilers (15-26-8) could have a couple of key players back in the lineup as they play their first game since the all-star break. Rookie Jordan Eberle says he's ready to return from a sprained ankle while fellow forward Ales Hemsky is back skating and may also be able to play after missing four games with a concussion.